Response to study identifying new way of attacking breast cancer

Scientists at The Institute of Cancer Research, London and the Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute at The University of Manchester have discovered a brand new way of attacking breast cancer that could lead to a new generation of drugs, according to new research published in Nature Communications.

With previous research identifying the importance of a protein called lysyl oxidase (LOX) in metastasis to the bone, the researchers have now revealed the role of LOX in driving the growth of breast cancer cells – designing a novel type of drug to try to block it. The next step, according to the researchers, will be to select the most effective drug from this new class of inhibitors and take it into clinical trials of patients.

“While more work is needed before a drug is ready to test in patients, this study confirms LOX as an exciting new target for breast cancer treatment – and one with great potential for the future.

“This study crucially uncovers how the LOX protein helps breast cancer cells multiply. That it also reveals highly potent drugs in development that could block LOX and reduce the spread of the disease is hugely promising.

“Currently, when breast cancer spreads, it sadly becomes incurable. Developing treatments to prevent or slow the spread of breast cancer will therefore be absolutely critical if we are to stop women dying from the disease.”